Low-level Light Therapy

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Low-level Light Therapy

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Low-level Light Therapy

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Low-level Light Therapy

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How Low-level Light Therapy (LLLT) Helps Dry Eyes

Dry eye disease is one of the most common eye complaints presented to eye care professionals. Do you often experience dry eyes? If you do, your eyes may not be producing enough tears. Perhaps you are unable to maintain the layer of tears needed to coat your eyes. Although dry eyes are uncomfortable, they rarely cause serious complications, such as permanent vision loss.

What Are Dry Eyes and Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease or syndrome is a chronic lack of moisture and lubrication on the eye’s surface. A consistent and adequate layer of tears is essential to keeping your eyes comfortable and healthy. It also helps you see well.Tears bathe the surface of the eye and keep it moist. They also wash away dust, microorganisms, and debris that could damage your corneas, leading to infection. A healthy tear film consists of an oily layer, a watery component, and a mucus-like component that covers the white part of the eye.


Each of these layers serves an important purpose. The oily layer increases lubrication and helps prevent the tear film from evaporating too quickly. The mucus-like layer, on the other hand, anchors and spreads the tears across the eye’s surface.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

The symptoms of dry eyes can range from constant but subtle eye irritation to significant eye inflammation. This condition may even lead to scarring of the eye’s front surface. Other symptoms you may experience include:

  • Redness.
  • Pain.
  • Burning.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Watery eyes.
  • Difficulty reading for prolonged periods.
  • Stringy mucus.
  • A gritty sensation.

How Low-level Light Therapy Can Help ​​​​​​​Treat Dry Eyes

Low-level light therapy, developed by NASA, proves to be quite effective in treating dry eye syndrome. It uses special LED lights to warm the eyelids, causing the meibomian glands to unblock and release oils.

Marco Equinox – LLLT

The Marco Equinox LLLT is a non-invasive and safe procedure. Each treatment session takes approximately 15 minutes and does not require any recovery time. Furthermore, there are no side effects or discomfort. You simply need to put on the Equinox mask, lie back, and relax as the warm laser lights clear your tear glands. This treatment can also help decrease the appearance of acne, facial wrinkles, and rosacea.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Inflammation on the eye’s surface causes dry eye. Some of the factors that can trigger this inflammation include:

  • Eye surgery.
  • Aging.
  • Long-term contact lens use.
  • A windy, dusty, or dry climate.
  • Side effects of certain medications.
  • Insufficient blinking.


Often blocked meibomian glands cause dry eye disease. These glands produce the oily outer layer of your tears. Blockage can lead to the creation of tears that lack an adequate lipid layer. Tears are essential for the health of your eyes. Each time you blink, a tear film coats your eye’s surface and performs several important functions. In addition to coating and lubricating your eye’s surface, tears supply oxygen and nutrients to the cornea. They also protect your eye from irritants and infection, in addition to healing the damage to the eye’s surface.


​​​​​​​For more on low-level light therapy, call Look! Optometry in Manhattan Beach, California at (310) 796-5665 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

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